Inflammasome: cancer's friend or foe?

Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Jul;143(1):24-33. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.02.002. Epub 2014 Feb 8.

Abstract

High serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 are correlated to malignancies with low-rate survival from the time of diagnosis. The multimeric complex of the inflammasome is responsible for IL-1β/IL-18 synthesis/release. A number of endogenous (damage-associated molecular patterns) and exogenous (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) stimuli can provide signals for inflammasome activation in cancer. These stimuli can behave as tumor promoters via inducing chronic inflammation that, rather than providing a protective response to loss of tissue homeostasis, aberrantly facilitates tumor development. This view is contrasted in animal models of colon cancer in which the activation of some inflammasome complexes is associated with tumor protection. More studies are needed to understand the biology of the inflammasome in cancer and explore its therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Carcinogenesis; Chronic inflammation; Inflammasome; Tumor immunology; Tumor progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / physiology*
  • NF-kappa B / physiology
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / physiology

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammasomes
  • NF-kappa B
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor